A time capsule of the greatest financial mania in the history of mankind, told in real-time by regular folks and patriots. May future generations better understand the madness of crowds, and how power and money corrupt.

September 01, 2008

"By the way, she's also been a member of the P.T.A."- John McCain, desperately trying to defend how Sarah Palin would be qualified to be Commander in Chief, head of the US armed forces, leader of the free world, August 31, 2008__________

The GOP ticket is now a joke, and a worldwide laughingstock.

They should step aside. Both of them.

Delegates to the GOP convention should mount an insurrection.

John McCain has taken the American people, and the people of his own party, as fools.

Watch this McCain interview, on Fox News of all places, and you'll understand.

The GOP did the right thing and had Bush withdraw the laughably unqualified Harriet Miers as Supreme Court nominee. The adults in the GOP should do the same thing with Palin. It's cruel what McCain is doing to Palin. He's putting her out there to be destroyed. He should be a man and end this charade himself.

Ah, screw it. The American voters aren't this reckless, are they? If Palin stays on the ticket, McCain should lose all 50 states. And that would be a good thing. I should want Palin to stay on the ticket just because of that.

But it's just too dangerous. I want McCain to lose, and lose badly, but what I don't want is even the chance in hell that someone with no qualifications to be President becomes President. It's just too dangerous.

94 comments:

"The Palin selection completely undercuts the argument about Obama's inexperience and readiness to lead," conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer wrote last week. "To gratuitously undercut the remarkably successful 'Is he ready to lead?' line of attack seems near suicidal."

"McCain's supporters argue that he is more serious about national security than Barack Obama. But the selection of Sarah Palin invites the question: How serious can he be if he would place such a neophyte second in line to the presidency?" Frum asks. "So this is the future of the Republican party you are looking at: a future in which national security has bumped down the list of priorities behind abortion politics, gender politics, and energy politics. Ms. Palin is a bold pick, and probably a shrewd one. It's not nearly so clear that she is a responsible pick, or a wise one."

The selection of Gov. Sarah Palin as McCain's running mate was shocking and mystifying. Stunning for its demonstration of bad judgment on the part of McCain, I just could not figure out why he would select someone who was already under investigation in her home state. But what if that was not the strategy to begin with? What if instead the design was to select a woman who they already knew would pull out quickly?

Much has already been written about the questionable tactic of appealing to former supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton by naming a woman as pick for Veep. As if a anti-abortion, pro-petroleum industry, political novice would take the place of a woman running for the Presidency.

While Palin' much discussed conservative and "maverick" views have invigorated the Christian Right who had heretofore been cool to McCain's candidacy, think of what may be about to come. here is the scenario:

Within the next 48 hours a viral, and actually quite vile, rumor currently exploding on the internet about the circumstances about Trig's birth -- the one with Down's Syndrome -- will get vetted. Whether true or not, they will place Palin on the spot and the fact of her being under investigation herself will loom larger.

Then McCain, being the alpha male he is, will accept her withdrawal from the race to "protect her from the vicious assault on the left" and thereby accomplish a move even Karl rove (assuming he didn't orchestrate it) would envy. McCain can then name another Veep, one he actually wants, and still claim the "high ground" and support for women and conservative values.

It really won't matter whether the rumor is true, whether she is indicted for ethics violations or whether any other of the sure to follow mistakes in her background dent her appeal. She was never intended to be the candidate anyhow.

"By the way, also, she was a member of the PTA. I think it's wonderful."

This is so insulting to women. It is a transparent attempt to recruit "soccer moms". I'm all for soccer moms and PTA-involved parents doing their bit for the local schools and communities. But, recruiting a beautiful PTA president as his running mate (for VICE PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA) illustrates that McCain believes women voters are idiots. In choosing a beautiful woman, he's proven that men are idiots, too (himself included).

This race is the worst in US history. After Bush, we need the absolute BEST people to clean up the mess and move us forward. I fear we are doomed.

Aside, our local PTA president had a great fundraising idea. She published and sold a cookbook of PTA member recipes. Unfortunately, the president's own recipes featured marshmallows (predominantly). I don't respect her anymore.

OMG! Sure, Palin is light on experience, but her selection short-circuits the Dems argument of McCain and Bush being the same. At the same time, it energises the right wing of the party, who incidentally have the highest reliability of showing up as a voting block. Tactically, it was a brilliant move - takes the post-convention news coverage (and poll bounce) away from Obama, highlights his mouthing of "Change" when his campaign, convention and Veep selection trots out the same old democrats, and puts the media in a frenzy.

You can argue that it was a poor choice, but this is the most entertaining Prez campaign I can remember (on par with '68, but that wasn't so fun). I won't vote for Obama because of the convention statement about ending oil dependence in 10 years, without drilling.

McCain may be old, Palin might be inexperienced, but this guy reminds me of delusional characters in Nazi Germany in the 1930's. Lighting up peoples hopes without a whisper of chance it will happen, all the while having an agenda behind the scenes that's closely guarded. Can anyone say Nationalization? Can anyone say higher taxes? Can anyone say more buracracy, less efficiency, more regulation?

McCain and Bama will both walk away from the little guy. What disturbs me is that Bama is strumming the "Hope" and "Change" strings but you have NO FRICKING IDEA what he really believes or will do.

KeithService in a debate club (state/U.S. Senate) does not make one ready for president. Maybe those who get classified info because they are on a specific senate committee are an exception, but please - you are so in the tank for Obama that you'd make Chris Matthews blush.

As I sit under tornado warning, half-listening to changes on windspeed or any of the other indices that tell me to stop everything, close the computer and huddle in the hallway, I am reading this and thinking how there are some things so awful that no snarkiness, foul language or other alternative to plain speech can address it. Hurricane Gustav is one such thing. The ugliness to come is another. Keith, thank you for speaking more or less plainly about this stage of the 2008 Presidential election. Perhaps I will be able to joke about this again some time soon, but I'm afraid that you are speaking a truth that many of your fellow Americans will laugh off, attack, or otherwise deny, just like many of the recent posters in this blog. Even as everything collapses, they will continue to keep their ideological blinders on, while you and this blog ascend in collective memory to greatness.

What executive responsibility is there associated with either positions? Combined, that's less responsibility than a dog catcher in a town of 8000. Consistently voting for "present" on any issue that's slightly controversial also means the man has no conviction whatsoever. He is a figurehead for a veteran insider like his VP choice.

"plus 18 intense months on the national stage being vetted"

The association with the racist preacher, and the shady bribe taking from the REIC . . . the media downplaying of both just goes to show what an insider fixed job his choice really is.

Palin has consistenly scored 80-90% approval rating for her governorship . . . that's something none of the other candidates anywhere in this country can boast during this election cycle.

"How serious can he be if he would place such a neophyte second in line to the presidency?"

FDR picked Truman the neophyte to be his vice president. Truman did just fine . . . in fact, his "novice" approach to DC politics, disbanding, in 1946, most of the committees that caused the depression, was the reason why the country finally came out of the Great Depression that Hoover started with the myriads of committees, which FDR vowed to disband in his initial presidential bid but only multiplied them after taking office.

It is a joke, but an unfunny joke. This is unfair to Governor Palin as well. The first lady was extolling her work experience as a mother as an additional qualification. I sensed where she was going and switched channels. Governor Palin probably works very hard to juggle all her duties. I grant her that. But so do tens of millions of other mothers in this country, and they get little or no respect for it. I even grant that a special needs child adds lots of additional stress to mother and other members of the family. I applaud that.

What I don't applaud is the "grasping at straws" by the McCain campaign. This is cynical, and is an evident attempt to spin a dismal state of affairs. Yet, I'm sure that my neck of the woods will probably carry McCain in November. If it does, I guess it will get the leadership it deserves.

"I just could not figure out why he would select someone who was already under investigation in her home state."

This is a bald faced smear. Investigation does not mean guilt. In fact, Palin invited the investigation to show that she was innocent of the rumors. There is an honorable tradition of consciencious military officers inviting court martials to clear their names . . . Yes, there is risk in doing that, as a court martial can hand down any judgement, including death penalty. It reflects the officer's sense of honor and humility of summitting his/her own fate into the hands of his/her peers . . . a common sense and humble approach to office holding that is all too often missing in the DC beltway nowadays.

The Rethugs love to make this a question of who has more experience, Obama or Palin. But the real issue here is McCain's and the GOP's fundamental dishonesty. For 20 months he, Gulliani, Romney, et al have been fear mongering us, proclaiming even in their slogan that Obama is "dangerously inexperienced". If they believed that, then they could in no way nominate someone, by their argument, just slightly more experienced. What is their slogan now: Obama- dangerously inexperienced, Palin- slightly less dangerous?!? What bullshit.

Oh yeah, you lying shithead jerks, don't forget to tell me that she has foreign relation experience because Alaska is close to Russia.

Interesting notion that bait and switch thing and quite plausible. Still I don't want President Romney either and personally I think it's already done damage to McCain's candidacy. Even if I actually believed he had good policies - He is just not a good speaker. My guess is he will come off as laughable in the debates. Hopefully Obama won't come off as too smart like Gore. God forbid we should have a smart president.

Sorry Keith no matter how you slice it Obama is the most under qualified Presidential candidate in the history of America. So no matter how "unqualified" you paint Palin you're also painting Obama the same color.

What gives me the shivers about the Palin selection is how quickly the Republican women I know are all for her. Like look who we have - a woman! Ha, Ha, Ha.

It's scary because it looks like the Republicans have been dipping hard into the Kool-Aid.

Obama was voted in so that is how that played out.

It's frightening in the sense that not only is Palin a joke, but it shows how stupid the American public is - I often wonder if their strategy was simply to get the attention away from Obama-Biden after that terrific convention.

Thank you for the question and recent opportunity to rate how dumb we thought America was.

Great Fun.

Today's question dovetails the first.

How can anyone who is sane still even consider voting for McCain and the cookie monster from Alaska?

Are you fucking crazy?

How have all the idiots (I change my rating, I now believe 97% of Americans and 100% of GOP to be just plain stupid along with a super-size helping of fried greed thrown in) gravitated to the GOP? Is it genetic or has Bushco-Cheneyburton so beat all of you down that you have lost your spirit and common sense?

A soccer mom from Alaska? Why not a trangender whore with AIDS from Nevada or a S/he with three tits (two on front one transplanted on back) from San Francisco?

We will see just how low campaigning can get and how dumbed down and low and painful the rotten, paid-for-in-full media can make the next two months.

Palin has way more "executive" experience than the socialist, fascist Obama. By 1939 Hitler had lots of experience. How cares? Neither side will do anything needed to save the country. Both sides stink! So why support Obama? That socialist pig won't save the country and neither will McCain.

Actually Keith, this conservative Republican wants McCain to win so badly that I can taste it.This to punish my party for abandoning TRUE conservatives. The next president will be a one-termer, and take the blame for the country's downfall, just like Hoover did for the Great Depression. I want that failed four years to be owned by a Republican.That way the neo-nut jobs can be flushed down the drain once and for all, and hopefully a new (actually the old) Republican party can rise from the ashes.

anonymous said...Then McCain, being the alpha male he is, will accept her withdrawal from the race to "protect her from the vicious assault on the left" and thereby accomplish a move even Karl rove (assuming he didn't orchestrate it) would envy. McCain can then name another Veep, one he actually wants, and still claim the "high ground" and support for women and conservative values.

Too bad Terri Schiavo passed on. She would have been perfect. A scandal free blessed icon for the evangelicals.

The joke is that Obama did not pick Hillary Clinton, half of the democratic electorate. He thought he did not need them. So, he chooses boring Biden. This was a major slap in the face to Hillary. WHY DID OBAMA NOT PIC HILLARY, because the black electorate think this election is about them, and the man.

The best part about the clip is when Mc Cain says that he has been following her career for years. Let's break that down a bit shall we?

He says he met her for the first time briefly at a governors conference in February. She would have been governor for about a year at that point. Prior to that she was mayor of a city that no one outside of Alaska had ever heard of.

Are we to believe that John McCain had his eye on her talents as the mayor of Wasilla, Alaska pop. 5,600? Where she lived up to the republican theme of more debt less taxes? An increase in $20 million dollars in debt for such a small town sure seems like a lot to me…

October 3, 2010. The Chinese have issued an ultimatum to Taiwan and say that if we interfere they will stop buying our bonds which will collapse the economy. The Russians have given the Ukraine 30 days to elect a pro Soviet president or they turn off the gas line.

President Palin has just finished putting Trig to bed when she gets the 3:00 a.m call. At first she thinks its one of her former Alaska constituents calling to say that a moose got into the garbage cans. She then meets with her National Security Advisor, Sideshow Bob and the decision is made to launch a first strike.

This reminds me of when Bush gave Brown the job head of FEMA.Palin is worse, Yes I said it!!!Worse than Bush and Cheny combine.I would have perfered to see Condi Rice (And that for me is saying a lot) Than this nut Palin!!I would rather have Hillary Clinton...Obama for 2008

I have a very good friend who is college educated, a Teacher.She is a very strong Christian. Good to the community. Her husband is a Cop and minister.They are good people.What scares me is she will vote for the canidate who will overturn abortion. That is what is important to her. We got into a debate...She would not budge.I think that is what they will use the same tactics Rove used for Bush. Abortion and gay rights.Christians have to remember one thing....Abortion was not overturn.The radical right wing nuts have used Christians one time to many.I do not think they will fall for it again?But my friend is voting with her heart this November and yes it is McCain..Palin doesn't scare me because she is qualified.Americans scare me because they will decide this election on the base of abortion.I am NOT for abortion...But it is not place to make that decision for any woment.My heart is for Obama. And Keith said it best..Obama is qualified..Palin IS NOt.. Most people from Alaska will tell you that...Coming from the REDEST state in America.

Way to go Keith. You took McCain's PTA comment totally out of context in that interview. He was tweaking Chris Wallace with that PTA comment, and only a dumb ass wouldn't see that.

Palin's not a foreign policy wonk, OK, but look at her life experience and she puts many other other political hacks to shame with her multiple accomplishments in diverse areas.

As for the comments from foreigners about our electoral process, I say f_ck-'em all! Europe has no business lecturing Americans about politics since it seems every 50-100 years they manage to find a way to slaughter each other by the millions. The funniest comments about Palin come from the Aussies as they like to call her as a "redneck". LOL - talk about the pot calling the kettle black!

I think she is potentially another Margaret Thatcher or Golda Meir, but only time will tell.

I have no dog in this race because in my opinons democrats are feces and rebublicans are vomit.

But I don't understand why you are so against this Palin woman? Look where seasoned experienced "politicians" have gotten America. The country is a pile of garbage now thanks to old money and politics.

Maybe she is not qualified and maybe she is naive, but at least she might not "play the game" and who knows someone like that might actually be able to get the country back on track by accident.

Seriously at this point what do we have to lose?

I have already written America off. Of course it will implode on itself soon enough and appear worse, but I seriously can't imagine new leadership doing any worse than the imbecilies who have been in the game for so long have.

I haven't seen the "anonymoose" attacks on you quite as virulent as they are on this post. Must have really hit a nerve. They know that this pick is really indefensible so its fun to watch them try to defend it.

Is 8 years as a state senator really all that much more experience than 6 years as a mayor?

Obama does not have 4 years experience in the senate and had less than 2 years when he started running for president. Most of the last year and a half he's spent campaigning instead of being in the senate.

"plus 18 intense months on the national stage being vetted"

So being vetted is experience? He's failed the vetting, showing terrorist connections with Bill Ayers and corruption problems with Tony Rezco. He's got racism problems with his wackjob religious affiliations.

"Palin: Less responsibility than a dog catcher in a town of 8000."

State Senator is actually less responsiblity than a dog catcher. She fired the police chief, reduced salaries, and cut taxes. Dog catchers don't do that.

"Governor for 18 months. No vetting."

Based on keith's special Obama math, she's been governor for 2 years.

She was also chaired the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in 2003 and 2004.

She was vetted by the governor for that position. Also vetted during her 2002 run for lieutenant governor and during her 2006 run for governor. McCain probably did some vetting as well.

"And no idea of what's happening outside of Alaska."

Doubtful. As governor she would have dealt with the russians in regards to some treaty obligations.

Obama doesn't seem all the knowledgeable about things either. This is a guy that doesn't appreciate the danger that Iran poses.

"Hard core GOP'ers should be calling for her to step aside."

Hard core GOP'ers should have been calling on Bush to step aside years ago, probably back to 2001 with his violation of his oath of office in signing the patriot act.

"It's in your interests if she does. McCain/Romney is competitive. McCain/Palin is a joke."

So a mormon cult member is better? Why not a moonie as VP? Or a branch davidian? Sorry, cult members don't get to be president, or vice president.

"Did you watch the interview?"

Yes, I did. I am not a supporter of McCain/Palin, but I do prefer them to Obama/Biden. Why do you ASSume?

At least McCain is a not a left wing marxist revolutionary with terrorist ties like Obama.

McCain is an Idiot! Stupid "Maverick" He is just a JackAss. What a loser. I hate this guy with all his Ted Kennedy Amnisty crap. What a LOSER! LOSER LOSER LOSER! I love Palin (only to bang her... making sure to use a condom :o) But McCain is a loser!

Why did they pick him? He is as old as dirt and sounds like an old woman! Not saying Ron Paul was any younger but at least he would have made real change!

I am going to write in Ron Paul! My vote is wasted if I vote McBannana or Obama anyway! America is F'ed either way with these two losers!

Kick all incumbents out! Hell, even Ron Paul. We need a revolution in this country. China has all our manufacturing, India has all our tech jobs, Mexico is having all our babies! Rise up and take our country back. If we dont they sure will!

Senator McCain's recent vp pick, Sarah Palin, announced late Fridaythat she has decided to withdraw her nomination so she could spend more time dealing with the special nees of her down syndrome baby, Trig; the emotional needs of her pregnant daughter Willow and so that she could devote more time to the needs of the citizens of Alaska.

the major issue facing the world is rising geo-political tension. if you want a bad tempered war-hawk, like McBush, then vote McBush/Palin. Otherwise your choice is patently clear, vote for the guy who had the intelligence and foresight to vote against invading Iraq.

It's so damn simple: More war = McCain/Palin. By comparison all the other stuff is meaningless.

The longer it goes, the more damage to McCain. If she withdrew before she was due to speak, then McCain could put Romney, Hutchinson, Pawlenty or hell even Jindal on the ticket in time to give a speech at the convention. America would love it - the drama and all. Plus she could withdraw due to "family reasons" and "reconsiderations"

I wish I could bet on it. 100 to 1?

Deep down I hope she stays on the ticket. The VP debate will be one for the ages (assuming the moderator has the balls to ask her questions)

Everyone here is likely more qualified to be President than Palin. At least you know what's going on in the world, and with our economy.

September 01, 2008 4:26 PM------------And then Surprise Surprise He was found medically ineligible!!!

Yes, this is the man I want as Commander and Chief of the Armed Forces, he can use the yellow streak down his back as the new yellow ribbon used to support all the soldiers that are fighting for this nation!! POS no matter what way you look at it!!!

George W Bush had how many years as Governor of Texas? So if the righties want to play the experience card, Palin is less experienced than Obama.

Reality wants to play the experience card yet if Obama isn't experienced serving in the "debate club" why does McCain have experience then? He's been a Senator his whole career...a really unspectacular one btw.

I am not a Republican or a Dem. I am voting for Bob Barr but I won't cry if Obama gets in. Clinton may have been a big weenie but my business flourished during the Clinton years.

Why is that? Oh and didn't Billy Bob Clinton balance the budget? Didn't Reagan like him? Good enough for this Reagan fan.

The partisan crap being slung at Barack Obama is pretty ridiculous. Will be be a good prez? Probably no worse than W. McCain is 4 more years of Bush.

Bob Barr is my man as would Ron Paul but I can live with 4 years of Obama. I think I know the guy well enough to feel comfortable with him. His policies are on numerous websites and he seems reasonable.

People hate on him cuz he's black? A supposed muslim? His pastor? All those seem stupid reasons to not vote for somebody :(

If you really want to place a bet that Palin will withdraw her candidacy, you're in the right country to do it. Bookies in the UK accept bets on pretty much anything, not only sporting events. Wish I'd placed a bet that Obama would become President, which is what I thought after the 2004 Democratic convention!

What the Palin controversy shows is that John McCain is a weak and befuddled old man. He picked a VP candidate who he did not want and did not know well to appease a certain faction in his party over the heads of many far more qualified individuals. This does not bode well for the decisions he will be making as president.

Maybe McCain is 'crazy like a fox.' What if McCain deliberately chose Ms. Palin to blow his election chances? I was reading the following old post:

http://www.politicalgateway.com/news/read/140497

What got me to thinking this was the following section:

" Predictions for the next 12 months –

-Home prices will flip around but continue down. Drastic drop when the Dem president takes over in January (you will almost think it was timed).

- After the Dems take the whitehouse the supports trying to hold up the economy will finally buckle. It's not personal, its politics. Perfect planning to ensure a Republican ticket win in 2012. Look for 2009 to be a bad year financially. Gotta love top level political strategy."

What if there was some backroom meeting recently where top-level Republican political strategists huddled together with McCain to assess the coming elections: and decided it was better to lose this time around; let the Dems take the heat for the collapsing economy; then after Osama Obama Yomama ends his one-term Presidency, have the Republicans coast back into office in 2012. Sarah Palin in this case would be collateral damage.

What are your thoughts?

Oh and check out Kunstler's website this week for a priceless picture of Ms. Palin in a Star Spangled Bikini holding a rifle. She's Hot. I'd Do Her.

You should put up a survey asking guys who would also after seeing a picture like that.

Oh, MR Keith, Just FYI. McCain is ahead by 10 pts in likely voters according to latest poll. Time for you to alert your graffitti friends for more rumours and trash. Keep digging deeper, hoping you will find something other than sewage.Here's the USATODAY Poll:Latest Likely voter poll

Here's a link of Mr OB wants to talk to Clintons.I wonder what Mr OB wants to talk to both Clintons about ? I will leave it up to your imagination. Remeber that count down you put up Gov Palin. You may have to change the name a little bit on that soon ??OB Meeets Clintons!!!

I remember very well how you trashed Clinton and your felow Obamacans stole election from Hillary. Then you guys went after Palin. Good luck to you. Hope you will get some sleep !!!

Boy, this is a bypartisan blog!! (sarcasm much intended) I am a middle class average citizen who is telling you all that 8 years of George Bush hasn't hurt me at all, nor has Cheney, Rove etc. the only thing that makes me miserable is a bunch of idiotic liberals who dont understand economics, politics, or the military...bitching sour grapes for the last 8 years. Yeah gas prices are high (thank you environmentalists!) and the housing flop (thank you subprime BORROWERS for without you there could never be a subprime lender) sucks! As usual, a bunch of commie libs who don't understand how much THEY have to do with the current state of affairs!! Seriously, when you have to transport oil from the other side of the globe instead of drilling in your backyard...not too smart. Ive noticed that none of you people ever confront people like me in person for a political argument when your type is so prevalent on the web....hmmm.....maybe its because intellectually, any one like me would walk...the...DOG on you... I am DYNAMITE!!!! heres some tissues...walk it off